Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel- The water bottle/sippy conversation continues...

[michellemk]

I'm just starting to search out new alternatives to plastic sippy cups. I've noticed a lot of discussions about Sigg and Klean Kanteen. The difference I noticed today is that Klean Kanteen is made out of stainless steel, and Sigg is made out of aluminum with an enamel baked on the inside.

Now, isn't aluminum known to cause alzheimers? I know that it's in deoderant, and some baking powders, and it's something that I generally try to avoid. But they say it's safe...

I think I'd rather buy stainless steel for my kid to drink out of.

Anybody have any thoughts on the subject.

[sara_m]

Wow, and here I thought my Sigg was the best option! I'd love to hear opinions from all the metal-educated folks out there...

[L'lee]

The coating on the Siggs is supposed to prevent aluminum from being in contact with the water. Personally, I think it's a matter of preference between the two. We have a couple of each and I think they're both good options.

[Blue Lotus]

Unless you are trying to avoid companies who have their products made in China (like Kleen Kanteen do), so it is Sigg for us...

[limabean]

Hmm ... I had been considering the Sigg, but after looking at both sites, the Sigg recommends hand washing because of the narrow opening while the Klean Kanteen says the dishwasher is okay and also that the wide opening accomodates ice cubes. Also, the Klean Kanteen has no inner lining to worry about. I think we'll pick one up for DS's stocking!

[L'lee]

Originally Posted by Blue Lotus

Unless you are trying to avoid companies who have their products made in China (like Kleen Kanteen do), so it is Sigg for us...

Ugh, OK I should have realized that. Thanks for the info.

[mystic~mama]

I read on one of those site that their bottles are made "reasponsibly in china",,I'm curious, if stainless that are made in china (all of them it seems?), what alternative to polluting plastic would you use?

[jumpincholla]

We have Kleen Kanteen for my dd with the sippy lids and I love them...so does she! Just a question are you mamas boycotting every product made in China or just ones which are made with harmful substances and/or in horrible conditions for the workers?

[Blue Lotus]

(Warning! Not trying to hijack the thread, just wanted to explain our reasoning a little better)

For us, the whole China thing is a more complicated issue than just "Boycott everything made in China". We are trying really hard to purchase locally-made items as much as possible, and try to support local economies first. Whether that is in our town, state, region, or country depends on the goods. To be honest, it is really tough to find products that are american made anymore! Labor is just so much cheaper overseas. That said, if we had the time to research every. single. product that we use, sure, I would avoid those just made in factories with deplorable conditions, no matter the country they are produced in. But I just don't have the time or resources to do that. I have to trust the companies that say their workers are treated and paid well (which, wouldn't you say the same thing as a company, so people keep buying your product? ), and try to support local businesses before global ones. For us it was a personal decision as part of our goal to be more self-sustaining and living "greener", or with less of an impact to the earth. For someone else, the decision may be entirely different depending on what is important for your family AND lifestyle.

DH and I really love the feel and usability of the Kleen Kanteen, but we are generally trying to NOT support businesses that manufacture in China, so we decided to stick with the SIGG until we can find a replacement that we are happier with. We are trying to phase out the majority of the harmful plastics we have and stick with the 2, 4, and 5 plastics for things we need/use more often. It is an imperfect choice, but it is what we can live with for now.

ETA: Plastics numbers fixed thanks to my faulty memory! :

[Ms.QsMama]

We have the SIGG bottles and love them! I feel the company is trustworthy and has a lenghthy record to show for. They boast 0% leaching, so I'm not worried about toxins. I know they recommend hand washing, but I've always used the dishwasher and they come out clean every time. Also, they're cuter! DD has really enjoyed picking out different designs which gives her a sense of pride and ownership over her choices. It makes trying to get her to drink fluids (something she's usually too busy playing to do) much easier since she loves her cups. Anyhow, just my $0.02.

[nataliachick7]

where do you get SIGGS and kleen kanteens? only online?

[BethSLP]

we have SIGGs but DD has a Klean Kanteen simply because she needs a sippy top for travel (not the sport cap lid). I prefer the KK. The Siggs are safe, but they look like HELL in a short period of time from being dropped and dented. The KK stands up to a beating.

Also, I find the KK easier to clean.

FYI, we clean our Siggs with denture cleaner if they get left closed with water in them too long and get stinky. We just drop one or two in the bottom, fill it with warm water and let it sit. Then rinse it out. Good as new.

I believe they actually sell Sigg cleaner, but its similar to denture cleaner (like Efferdent). Not sure where I got that info, but DH found it somewhere online.

We got all our bottles online, but they do sell siggs at Whole Foods and places like that. I got the KK at reusablebags.com

XOXO
B

[Blue Lotus]

I know you can get both of them at REI stores. I am sure there are other retail stores as well...

[*Aimee*]

I have bought SIGGS and KK and will only buy SIGGS from now on. If you read on the reusable bags site, they say they've shot SIGGS with guns and it still hasnt cracked the epoxy. They do dent, but I dont think it looks that bad, unless you're studying it. Also, for us my son refuses to drink out of the KK with the leak proof thing in it, so when thats taken out it leaks EVERYWHERE. With the sports top we can close it and it travels really well. And they are cuter!

Most importantly for us, I will not buy something for my son where he will be eating or drinking off of or in made in China. He doesnt have any toys MIC except some old Melissa & Doug puzzles bought before all this drama. When it comes to DS's safety I just cant feel comfortable giving him something that could be dangerous when there are viable other options.

[nataliachick7]

Can anyone tell me how a toddler drinks from a SIGG? I went on the website but i am not understanding how the opening works. is it just a big hole? He is mostly used to drinking from a straw cup, and also has a sippy cup of milk at bedtime.

[delphiniumpansy]

We have Siggs and love them. We got them at reusablebags. They come with three lid options and my 4 year old has her fave, the twistie one. I like the one you push with your mouth while drinking and dh likes the sports bottle lid. For baby dd, I got her a thermos sippy which is stainless and made in china but at least better than a plastic sippy (which dd1 is addicted to for her milk for some reason).

[MsGrizzle]

We've used KK for over a year now and love them. We have SIGG too but I always seem to go for the KK, especially since it is so much easier to clean. The 12oz with the sport cap firsts really nicely in my ds's lunch box.

[Ceili]

We use KKs around here. I like the "cute factor" of the SIGGS, but we keep our bottles in neoprene carriers so that my hand doesn't freeze when i load it up with ice water.... so I'd never see the cute. And the neoprene keeps the bottles from getting beat up.

[michellemk]

Thanks for all of your responses. I have a clearer picture of the options. I personally do not have a dishwasher, so being able to get a dish cloth in the opening is imporatant.

A question for the pp, where do you get the neoprene carriers? I'm sure ds won't want to hold freezing cold metal.

[BethSLP]

neoprene carrier sounds like a good idea.

However, another reason I like the KK is that there is a smaller ring around the top that your DC can hold on to. I just don't fill it all the way to the top (too heavy) so even when the bottle is cold, the part she holds isn't. I find them to be easier for a little one to hold than the Sigg.

XOXO
B